Jack Eichel is Good at Hockey

Eichel. So clutch. So easy. So beautiful.https://t.co/IiJP5NHHS0

— NHL (@NHL) March 12, 2016

Buffalo Sabres rookie forward Jack Eichel makes scoring a clutch goal look really easy. I also love the call of the goal by hall of fame announcer Rick Jeanneret. This guy is one of the best in the business. Jeanneret is set to retire at the end of the 2016 NHL season.

Jayson Moy has UND in the Xcel Center

Jayson Moy of USCHO fame does a weekly column on NCAA hockey bracketology and UND fans will like this week's brackets.  This week Moy now predicts that UND traveling south to St. Paul to play in the West Regional. 

East Regional (Albany):
13 Minnesota-Duluth vs. 4 Providence
12 Massachusetts-Lowell vs. 5 Boston College

Northeast Regional (Worcester):
16 Robert Morris vs. 2 Quinnipiac
10 Notre Dame vs 7 Yale

Midwest Regional (Cincinnati):
14 Michigan Tech vs. 3 St. Cloud State
11 Harvard vs. 6 Denver

West Regional (St. Paul):
15 Minnesota vs. 1 North Dakota
9 Boston University vs. 8 Michigan

(Link to USCHO)

Big Hit: Ryan Reaves Blows up Christian Ehrhoff Christian

I see a few fans on Twitter calling for more supplementary discipline for St. Louis Blues forward Ryan Reaves.

Get of the track if you don't want to get run over by the train. I think the on-ice officials are penalizing players for being hard hitters. Reaves absolutely blows up Christian Ehrhoff. I don't think this hit was worthy of a five-minute major. Thoughts?

Flawed Logic: Take Checking out of High School Hockey

In yesterday's StarTribune letters to the editor, one writer from Minneapolis suggested that they take checking out of high school hockey. How about no. People watch hockey for the contact and collisions on the ice.

Another great Minnesota boys’ hockey tournament is behind us. I celebrate the effort of the players, the strategy of the coaching and the unshakable spirit of the loyal fans.

I wonder, however, if it isn’t time to eliminate checking from the game. With growing evidence of the disabling effects of concussions, sensitivity to the damage that violence inflicts across our society and several highly publicized injuries of late, I submit that the Great State of Hockey would be better for this civilizing change.

As a longtime supporter of girls’ and women’s hockey — as a fan, a parent and a former player — I assure you that the game can be fast, thrilling and just as spectator-friendly without potentially paralyzing blows. Along with the score, the shots on goal and the time remaining on the clock, boys’ hockey still includes one chilling statistic: hits. As one TV announcer boasted during the Wayzata-Eden Prairie game: “If you’re on the ice, you either hit, or you’re gonna be hit.”

Let’s let these athletes’ explosive speed, puck-handling finesse, and undeniable grace and power under pressure be their lasting legacy. Let’s leave the roughneck bashing behind. These boys are too good not to be able to walk off the ice with their heads high and their bodies and futures intact.

Tracy Nordstrom, Minneapolis

First, to suggest that there's no hitting in women's hockey is short sighted and just wrong. I have covered women's college hockey for the last five season and I would say that the women's game is physical and at times rough. Go back and watch the Olympic games between the USA and Canada. Then come back and talk to me.

Apparently, this author has a short term memory loss. If you've watched a Women's College Hockey game between UMN vs. UND game you will know that there's a lot of body contact. You just can't cream the opponent in the open ice. The refs let a lot of contact around the net go as well as along the boards.

I think the biggest problem facing hockey today some coaches and trainers aren't as proactive as they should be with the concussion protocol. There are risks in life, even for our children.

So, I am going to say no. Let's not remove checking from high school hockey. Maybe the author should find another sport to watch if she's so concerned about it.

Former Teammates: Adam McQuaid vs. Shawn Thornton fight

Two former teammates fight after a questionable hit. The combatants Boston Bruins defenseman Adam McQuaid and Florida Panthers forward Shawn Thornton. McQuaid didn't even look like he wanted to fight Thornton.

Fighting is and should remain part of hockey. Thornton fight and subsequent comeback just more proof why.

— Jimmy Murphy (@MurphysLaw74) March 8, 2016

The NCHC Playoffs are Here

The four quarterfinal series are set. 

No. 8 seed Colorado College at No. 1 seed North Dakota

No. 7 seed Western Michigan at No. 2 seed St. Cloud State

No. 6 seed Omaha at No. 3 seed Denver

No. 5 seed Miami at No. 4 seed Minnesota Duluth

Predictions:

UND in 2

SCSU in 2

DU in 3

UMD in 2 

I don't see C.C. or Western Michigan getting past the top seeds. UNO is in a tailspin and Denver is smoking hot right now. The Bulldogs have won four games in a row since being swept by UND. 

It "should" be UND vs. UMD and SCSU vs. DU in the Frozen Faceoff.

New York Times: The Sioux Nickname Is Gone, but North Dakota Hockey Fans Haven’t Moved On

I was reading my facebook stream today when I came across this article from the New York Times. No matter where you stand on the nickname, this is a good read.

I predict, the Sioux jersey's and chants aren't going away anytime soon.

I am not sure if anyone should be shocked. You don't change 80 years of tradition and history overnight.

It's going to take a while to move on from the Fighting Sioux Nickname. I just ordered a new Fighting Sioux jersey. (Click to read the article)

When Sandelin opened his remarks with, “Always nice to be back among the Fighting Sioux fans,” he received immediate and prolonged applause.

“I knew that would get a rise,” he said, smiling.

Several minutes later, Sandelin concluded this way: “Once a Sioux, always a Sioux. I can still say that.”

Let's just say... there are more than 4,000 Sioux jersey's. That's not going to change anytime soon. I had a few of my fellow fans tell me that they're set for life. The Dacotah Legacy Collection is one way to keep those Fighting Sioux jersey's stocked up.

“When I go to that hockey game and I see 4,000 Fighting Sioux jerseys in a 12,000-seat arena, hear the chants and see the rituals and hear the booing and cheering and all that stuff, that bothers a lot of people at the university,” said the interim university president Ed Schafer, a former two-term governor and briefly the agriculture secretary under President George W. Bush.

He added: “I look at it and say, What’s the alternative? What do the students have to turn to instead of that? We don’t have that right now.”

I had a conversation with someone this past weekend about the University getting the new logo right. They're convinced that the UND administration understands what is at stake. I am very skeptical.

Fighting Hawks

I want to clear a few things up. First, the official nickname of UND's sports team is Fighting Hawks. The writers that I know and have contact with use the nickname in their articles in one form or another. The TV channels that broadcast UND hockey use Fighting Hawks in their broadcast and in their graphics.

Back in 2012, UND asked the various media entities that cover UND sports to no longer use the Fighting Sioux nickname. I've complied with their request and Fighting Sioux is no longer used in writing about UND sports. UNLESS, I am writing about a player that wore the Fighting Sioux logo.

I have been told by a few readers that I shouldn't use the Fighting Hawks nickname. I disagree. I write for two syndicated blogs with thousands of readers. My managing editors would expect me to honor UND's request as well.

So, I have to comply with UND's wishes. I think it's a fair request on their part. I am not trying to shove the new nickname down anyone's throat. However, it's easier to write when the team you cover has a nickname. I never, ever stopped admiring the Fighting Sioux nickname, but I have to move on. That being said, Sioux forever.

Finally, I took my daughter to a game and sat in the stands, I was yelling Sioux just like everyone else.

Video: UND vs. WMU (UND Goals)

I would have had this out sooner, but my computer was acting up. I guess you need to take a can of air to your computer every once in a while. I think we're okay now. We will see. I am in the process of finding a new computer so I will take suggestions if you have one.

A couple of things that I noticed this weekend. The freshman are starting to get it. All you have to do is look at the score sheet.

The story of the game was the play of the fourth line. Coach Berry put Shane Gersich, Coltyn Sanderson, and Chris Wilkie on the fourth line and they showed a lot of chemistry together. That line had a banner night on the score sheet (4g-3a—7pts).

This past weekend, Gersich has (1g-1a—2pts), Wilkie (2g-2a—4pts). On Friday night, Haden Shaw made two really nice plays that ended up in the back of net. This lead to Shaw having s a solid night on the score sheet (0g-2a—2pts). Christian Wolanin who was scratched on Friday night, replaced Shaw on Saturday night and also made a contribution on the score sheet (0g-2a—2pts).

UND vs. WMU Game 4

Per UND, senior forward Colten St. Clair in for freshman forward Joel Janatuinen. On defense, Christian Wolanin takes Hayden Shaw's place in the lineup. Tonight's game is on FCS.

Reminder that tonight's game is on MidcoSN2, not MidcoSN. Also available on FCS Atlantic, DirecTV and DISH Network. Consult local listings.

— North Dakota MHockey (@UNDmhockey) March 5, 2016

(Video) UND 8, WMU 1 (Penrose Cup Champs)

First, last night was a total team effort.

Also, the CBS Line was dialed in. That line accounted for three of UND’s eight goals and scored (3g-6a—9pts) and were a (+12). During the first period, Boeser and Schmaltz again added two more goals to the highlight reel collection.

The story of the game was the play of the fourth line. Coach Berry put Shane Gersich, Coltyn Sanderson, and Chris Wilkie on the fourth line and they showed a lot of chemistry together. That line had a banner night on the score sheet (4g-3a—7pts).

“There’s obviously other stuff out there for us for sure,” Sanderson said. “It’s obviously a huge accomplish especially with the league that we play in. It’s tough every night to get wins. Anybody can beat anybody.

“Obviously, that makes it much more difficult to win a championship. At the same time, we can be happy about that, but this program hasn’t won a national championship for a long time. I think that been on our minds. I know for the last four of my career and now with the opportunity and the skill in the room. I think that’s the only thing that we will be satisfied with.”

North Dakota Brock Boeser (Troy Stecher, Nick Schmaltz) 12:20
North Dakota Nick Schmaltz (Drake Caggiula, Brock Boeser) 14:07
2nd Period
North Dakota Brock Boeser (Nick Schmaltz, Tucker Poolman) 0:30
North Dakota PP Chris Wilkie (Rhett Gardner) 2:43
North Dakota Paul LaDue (Brock Boeser, Nick Schmaltz) 7:04
Western Mich. PP Sheldon Dries (Corey Schueneman, Frederik Tiffels) 12:43
North Dakota Coltyn Sanderson (Hayden Shaw, Chris Wilkie) 19:09
3rd Period
North Dakota Chris Wilkie (Rhett Gardner, Shane Gersich) 16:47
North Dakota Coltyn Sanderson (Hayden Shaw, Chris Wilkie) 18:34

UND vs. WMU Game 3 Lines

Not a lot of changes from last game. Colten St. Clair is still out. One new change, Trevor Olson is also out. Freshman forwards Shane Gersich and Chris Wilkie are on the fourth line with Coltyn Sanderson.

Austin Poganski, Making an Impact at UND https://t.co/eUfWYeRLKD #THW

— The Hockey Writers (@TheHockeyWriter) March 4, 2016

A Couple of Things that Should Concern You

In reading Anna Burleson's article in today's Grand Forks Herald, I see a couple of things that concern me and should concern other UND fans and alumni. First, Hawks are birds and they have feathers. When I read comments like the one below, this only makes me think that his is how we're going to end up with a very bad logo that none of us can get behind.

But former UND legal counsel Julie Evans, who attended the forum, suggested caution in using Native American imagery, like feathers, from the old logo, given the NCAA's agreement with the school.

I am also concerned when I read the paragraph below. This is how we end up with a chicken hawk logo with an uff da  taco in his talons.

Ideas varied widely during discussion, with some people wanting to avoid using pink — one of the school's official colors — while others support embracing it. Other ideas included depicting the state's Norwegian heritage, reflecting North Dakota's winter weather and adding the state's geography.

"We have a lot we can work with and this is the first part of this process," O'Flaherty said.

Moving on, I also love how these anti-fighting Sioux people lecture the pro-nickname people. You better not do that. Don't do that. Oh, that's a violation.

Anyone that thought there was going to be a quick transition to the new nickname is unrealistic. It's going to take time. You don't undo an 80-year tradition in three-four months.

Designing a logo that all of us can get behind is going to be very important if the administration wants the pro-fighting Sioux crowd to move on. Blow the logo design, and the fans will still be yelling Sioux 30 years from now.

I have gotten and I've seen hundreds of comments on social media. Rough estimate, I would say that 50-75 percent, maybe even higher despise/hate the Fighting Hawks nickname. If SME and the UND administration fumble or boggle the creation of the new logo, that number will grow.

Matthew and Candace Predict that UND sweeps WMU

Candace Horgan and my buddy Mattew Semisch have been pretty accurate this season in their weekly predictions. So, if haven't seen it, they break down the NCHC's weekend matchups.

Western Michigan at No. 2 North Dakota Candace: North Dakota gets a sweep and wins the Penrose outright. North Dakota 4-1, 3-1 Matthew: Difficult to see anything other than a UND sweep here. North Dakota 3-1, 3-1. (USCHO NCHC Blog)

This week's Brackets from USCHO

Here are this week’s brackets from USCHO's Jason Moy. Finally, this week, Moy has UND in the Xcel Center. That works well for UND fans that would like to make the short trip to St. Paul. I am also shocked that he doesn't have the Boston College Eagles in Worcester yet.

East Regional (Albany):
13 Omaha vs. 4 Providence
11 Harvard vs. 5 Boston College

Northeast Regional (Worcester):
16 Minnesota State vs. 1 Quinnipiac
10 Boston University vs 8 Yale

Midwest Regional (Cincinnati):
15 Robert Morris vs. 3 St. Cloud State
9 Notre Dame vs. 6 Michigan

West Regional (St. Paul):
14 Minnesota vs. 2 North Dakota
12 Massachusetts-Lowell vs. 7 Denver

Conference breakdowns

Hockey East — 5
NCHC — 4
ECAC Hockey — 3
Big Ten — 2
WCHA — 1
Atlantic Hockey — 1

Grand Forks Herald: Forum Attendees Want UND's Logo to Be Unique

One of my concerns moving forward has been the design of the Fighting Hawks logo. Apparently, I am not the only one that has these concerns.

The design of the logo is a very important moment for the administration. I have a lot of anxiety about this process. If they blow the design of the logo and you will never get the fans young and old to get behind the Fighting Hawks nickname, ever.

"I know there are many, including myself, who are afraid we're just going to end up another cheesy bird, another one of many, many hawks," UND graduate Brooke McClintock said at the forum. "We're coming from something so courageous and great and strong, we're going to just fade into the back with a cheesy hawk." (Anna Burleson, Grand Forks Herald)

SME Branding to visit UND campus March 1-3

Tonight, there’s a meeting downtown at the Empire Arts Center. Below is the letter from UND’s Peter Johnson.

SME Branding, the design firm retained by the University of North Dakota to design a graphic identity package for the new Fighting Hawks nickname, will visit the UND campus March 1-3.   During the visit, SME will gather perspectives and input on the desired attributes of the graphic identity.

SME will conduct two public meetings during the campus visit.  The first will be Tuesday, March 1, 6-8 p.m. at the Empire Arts Center in downtown Grand Forks.  The second public meeting will be held on the UND campus, Thursday, March 3, 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. in the Ballroom of the Memorial Union.  While this second meeting is scheduled primarily for faculty, staff and students, members of the public are also invited.

At the meetings, SME Branding will conduct a collaborative session to better understand what the public and the campus community want in the UND Fighting Hawks graphic identity.  The meetings will not examine or discuss logo designs; rather, SME will discuss the design process and will invite ideas and thoughts about the Fighting Hawks graphic identity, how the nickname both relates to and reflects North Dakota, and the attributes the graphic identity should possess.

Said UND President Ed Schafer, “We are very pleased to have arrived at this point in UND’s nickname and logo development process.  Throughout this journey, we have invited and benefitted from public input, and these upcoming meetings provide an additional opportunity for interested UND stakeholders to participate in the discussion and share their thoughts and ideas.”

 

Peter B. Johnson
Executive Associate Vice President
Media Relations Coordinator/Community Relations Officer
Public Relations Group

 

Bruins' Zac Rinaldo Suspended Five-Games for Dirty Hit

The National Hockey League's department of Player Safety has suspended Zac Rinaldo for this dirty hit on Tampa Bay Lightning forward Cedric Paquette. At the time of the hit, I was surprised that Rinaldo was only given a two-minute penalty. These are the types hits that hockey is trying to remove from the game of hockey.

NEW YORK - Boston Bruins forward Zac Rinaldo has been suspended for five games, without pay, for an illegal check to the head of Tampa Bay Lightning forward Cedric Paquette during NHL Game No. 933 in Boston on Sunday, Feb. 28, the National Hockey League's Department of Player Safety announced today.

Rinaldo is also a four-time, repeat offender that obviously hasn't learned his lesson. This past week, Rinaldo was put on waivers by the Boston Bruins and is now in Providence. For the most part, Rinaldo brings nothing to the table, except for penalty minutes and is a waste of a roster spot Rinaldo also adds little in the way of offense and has only scored. This season, Rinaldo has scored a meager (1g-2a—3pts) in 52 games.
 

(Video) Deryk Engelland’s Dirty Hit on Chris VandeVelde

You have to see this: Calgary defenseman Deryk Engelland’s lays Philadelphia Flyers forward Chris VandeVelde with a dangerous, dirty, unnecessary hit. I am all for checking someone with a clean, hard body check, but this is a very dangerous hit. More puzzling is that the officials only game Engelland only a two-minute minor penalty.

UND 2nd in USCHO.com Division I Men's Poll

February 29, 2016

	Team	(First Place Votes)	Record	Points	Last Poll
1	Quinnipiac	(48)	25- 2-7	998	1
2	North Dakota	( 1)	26- 5-3	931	4
3	Boston College	( 1)	24- 5-5	890	2
4	Providence		25- 5-4	864	5
5	St. Cloud State		25- 8-1	787	3
6	Michigan		20- 5-5	725	6
7	Denver		19- 8-5	703	8
8	Yale		19- 6-4	658	7
9	Boston University		19-10-5	584	9
10	Notre Dame		19- 8-7	559	10
11	Massachusetts-Lowell		21- 8-5	535	11
12	Harvard		16- 9-4	436	12
13	Michigan Tech		19- 8-5	389	14
14	Penn State		19- 9-4	296	15
15	Nebraska-Omaha		18-13-1	293	13
16	Minnesota State		17-10-7	188	18
17	Minnesota		17-14-0	125	20
18	Cornell		13- 9-7	109	16
19	St. Lawrence		17-13-4	97	19
20	Robert Morris		21- 9-4	69	NR
Others receiving votes: Rensselaer 68, Bowling Green 61, Northeastern 40, Clarkson 36, Miami 35, Minnesota-Duluth 22, Air Force 2.

 

UND moves up two spots in the USCHO Poll. In the rankings that matters: UND is second and St. Cloud State is third in the Pairwise Rankings. Denver is seventh, and Nebraska-Omaha is hanging in there at 13th. Minnesota-Duluth is tied for the 14^th spot. UMD has a major problem, they're below .500. So, they would need to go on a winning streak to make the NCAA Tourney.  The Bulldogs need to sweep this weekend, win their NCHC series, too.

 

(Video) Zac Rinaldo Vicious Check on Cedric Paquette

The first question out of my mouth: will this hit receive some extra scrutiny from the National Hockey League's Department of Players safety?

Before you jump down my throat, I am a Boston Bruins fan. But it does appear that Bruins forward Zac Rinaldo caught Tampa Bay Lightning forward Cedric Paquette in the head/jaw with his shoulder. Rinaldo was given a two-minute penalty for illegal contact to the head.

Aren't these the types of hits that were trying to remove from the game of hockey?